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Cortina D Ampezzo Travel Guide

Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful holiday resorts in
the world, Cortina d'Ampezzo, or Cortina as it is often simply
called, overlooks the spectacular Dolomites region of the Italian
Alps. Located in northeastern Italy, the resort is popular with
international celebrities, the in-crowd from Milan and Rome (many
of whom own private chalets), as well as those who can afford it
from elsewhere in Europe and North America. Cortina is considered
Italy's most fashionable ski resort.

There is something for everyone at Cortina with some fantastic
groomed runs for beginners and intermediates and some of the most
daring skiing for experts, depending on the snow. Snowboarders are
very welcome in Cortina. The nursery slopes are wonderful, with
gentle terrain; the runs for intermediates are good but not
extensive and may get repetitive; when the resort is at its best
the options for advanced skiiers are amazing, but they are snow
dependant. The many skiing areas of the resort require some moving
around but the scenery is so spectacular that this chore becomes a
pleasure.

Although Cortina's popularity means the town can become
unpleasantly crowded, the slopes are generally surprisingly
uncrowded, partly because there is so much else to enjoy at the
resort.

Cortina offers some of the best and most upmarket shopping of
any European holiday ski resort, with a number of clothing
boutiques and more than enough sport shops selling ski and
snowboarding equipment, including Morotto Sports Equipment and
Piccin Sports, which during summer focus on mountain biking needs.
Other novelty shops include Zardini Stoves, which produces some of
the greatest stoves around. Shopping is one of the perks of
Cortina, fuelling the resort's fashionable reputation.

Traditional Italian fare is what it is all about in Cortina and
holidaymakers can enjoy delightful, cosy restaurants offering good
times and great views. Both fine dining and more casual options are
available. Eating out in Cortina tends to be expensive, but the
quality of food is generally high.

Cortina is easily as popular for its amazing nightlife as for
its skiing. There are glamorous night clubs and bars, which see the
fashion brands and furs on parade, but also some more basic and
unpretentious apres-ski venues. The main concentration of the
nightlife is on classy wine bars rather than the karaoke-style fun
one finds at some more mainstream resorts.

One of the things that sets Cortina apart as a ski resort is the
fact that even during peak ski season the town attracts many
travellers who are there to enjoy the shopping, restaurant scene
and mountain scenery. It is not necessary to hit the slopes to have
a fun and interesting holiday in Cortina.

The Olympic Bobsled is most definitely worth some attention and
the chance to gain speeds of 75 mph (120km/h) can be enjoyed by
those brave enough. Sledding is another popular activity for those
needing a break from ski or snowboarding boots, as are snowshoeing
and hiking trails. Day trips to Venice and a number of other
exciting destinations can be arranged.

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Cortina D Ampezzo Travel Guide

Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful holiday resorts in
the world, Cortina d'Ampezzo, or Cortina as it is often simply
called, overlooks the spectacular Dolomites region of the Italian
Alps. Located in northeastern Italy, the resort is popular with
international celebrities, the in-crowd from Milan and Rome (many
of whom own private chalets), as well as those who can afford it
from elsewhere in Europe and North America. Cortina is considered
Italy's most fashionable ski resort.

There is something for everyone at Cortina with some fantastic
groomed runs for beginners and intermediates and some of the most
daring skiing for experts, depending on the snow. Snowboarders are
very welcome in Cortina. The nursery slopes are wonderful, with
gentle terrain; the runs for intermediates are good but not
extensive and may get repetitive; when the resort is at its best
the options for advanced skiiers are amazing, but they are snow
dependant. The many skiing areas of the resort require some moving
around but the scenery is so spectacular that this chore becomes a
pleasure.

Although Cortina's popularity means the town can become
unpleasantly crowded, the slopes are generally surprisingly
uncrowded, partly because there is so much else to enjoy at the
resort.

Cortina offers some of the best and most upmarket shopping of
any European holiday ski resort, with a number of clothing
boutiques and more than enough sport shops selling ski and
snowboarding equipment, including Morotto Sports Equipment and
Piccin Sports, which during summer focus on mountain biking needs.
Other novelty shops include Zardini Stoves, which produces some of
the greatest stoves around. Shopping is one of the perks of
Cortina, fuelling the resort's fashionable reputation.

Traditional Italian fare is what it is all about in Cortina and
holidaymakers can enjoy delightful, cosy restaurants offering good
times and great views. Both fine dining and more casual options are
available. Eating out in Cortina tends to be expensive, but the
quality of food is generally high.

Cortina is easily as popular for its amazing nightlife as for
its skiing. There are glamorous night clubs and bars, which see the
fashion brands and furs on parade, but also some more basic and
unpretentious apres-ski venues. The main concentration of the
nightlife is on classy wine bars rather than the karaoke-style fun
one finds at some more mainstream resorts.

One of the things that sets Cortina apart as a ski resort is the
fact that even during peak ski season the town attracts many
travellers who are there to enjoy the shopping, restaurant scene
and mountain scenery. It is not necessary to hit the slopes to have
a fun and interesting holiday in Cortina.

The Olympic Bobsled is most definitely worth some attention and
the chance to gain speeds of 75 mph (120km/h) can be enjoyed by
those brave enough. Sledding is another popular activity for those
needing a break from ski or snowboarding boots, as are snowshoeing
and hiking trails. Day trips to Venice and a number of other
exciting destinations can be arranged.